Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

"The second trial is also the final trial that will prove his worth to you. At that time, you will be able to find out why I wasn't worried about him first hand".

What did he mean by that? Vesgard couldn't help but frown; neverhtless, he was far too shocked to pay much attention to the latter half of his sentence.

For the demon to be able to clear the trial that was set by Aldebaran to be impossible, the impact these words had. If it was someone else, he wouldn't have believed it. However, it was his old friend. They wouldn't lie to him just to paint the demon they favour in a good picture.

"Are you telling me that…"

"Yeah, Gil-garna and the others, they have overestimated themselves this time. They will lose big time".

Vesgard gulped his non-existent saliva. He who was also one of the seven kings and knew how powerful Gil-Garna and the others were found it implausible for them to lose.

No matter how he thought about it, all possibilities and factors favour the latter. Yet Aldebaran was saying that they would lose. It was not just any random being that spoke that, but the strongest being in the forest had personally stated that.

"Haha, what makes someone special isn't their speciality but the person themselves make their speciality special" While leaving those words with the wind, Aldebaran turned around to leave.

"Ah, that's right, before I leave I wanted to ask you for a favour" His footsteps halted as he turned around to face Vesgard.

"What is it?".

The smiling face of his disappeared, replaced by a solemn expression that one hardly saw in him.

"Can you keep an eye on Gufardus? His movements have been far too sneaky these past few years and he has been stirring trouble across the Ghastly Winding forest. There are certain guests that I have to go see off as such, I will be busy for a while and cannot keep track of him. If there is anyone among the seven kings that I trust and can monitor Gufardus without them realising then it's you"

Gufardus?!! Vesgard made a slightly surprised face; nevertheless, he still nodded his head. Out of all the Seven Kings, Gufardus was the most mysterious. His movements and skill aside, even his origin was a mystery.

At least all the other seven kings had a past or a race they belonged to when they came to the Ghastly Winding Forest. However, Gufardus was a chimaera with unknown origins and past.

There was nothing known about him. The guy was a complete mystery.

Aldebaran did not stay any longer, once he saw Vessgard nodding, the tree that he manifested in quickly returned to normal.

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Two days passed by and on the morning of the second day, just like Gil-Garna had promised, he had begun his attack on the dungeon.

A grand and impressive line up made up of three clans, stood before a tall peak that jutted forth like a pillar connecting the sky and earth. Everywhere below the peak where one could lay their eyes, was a sea of bobbing heads.

Black Ogres, Terraquake Rhinos and Snakemen populated the area. Decked out in war gears, they looked ready for battle.

On top of the peak, stood three figures, their imposing presence made it clear that they were a cut above all the rest of the figures here and stood in a realm that made all the ones below them, look at them with eyes filled with reverence.

Needless to say, the three figures who could release such a powerful aura capable enough to cower the rest, were the three leaders of their clans, the three seven kings.

A few steps behind each of them stood a couple of figures all of whom possessed impressive auras on their own and were far more powerful and fiercesome than the rest. They were the direct subordinates of the seven kings.

Out of them all, Gil-Garna possessed the most people behind him. Three indigo horns, which included Gish-Bagh, Gish-Bor and another indigo horn stood beside him. In contrast, Yverza the Ivory Terraquake Rhino only had two people behind him.

As for Shahsurna, there was only one snakeman who was on the level of an indigo horn behind him.

Even if Gil-Garna and Yverza both lost a strong subordinate in the harpies territory, the fact that the former still possessed so many powerful subordinates meant that the power of his forces had long since surpassed the power of the other king clans.

'That damn Gil-garna… he had hidden his strength quite well' Shasurna narrowed his eyes, feeling a little inferior. If not for the attack on the dungeon, he wouldn't have known Gil-garna's forces were this powerful.

The seven kings were able to maintain this delicate balance and keep each other in check precisely because all of them were equal in strength and attacking one another would only end up harming themselves rather than bring any benefit.

It was for this reason that the Seven Kings rarely attacked each other and even if they did, it was as a form of caution or small disputes. Naturally, seeing the powerful force behind Gil-Garna, a sense of wariness crept into Shasurna's heart.

"The shortcut is still open. Since that is the case, let's utilise this chance to send our forces in. However, before we do that, isn't it appropriate that we choose a supreme chief for this attack".

In their terms, a supreme chief was someone who ruled above even the chiefs of the respective clan leaders. As of yet, there was no single being in this forest who was powerful or worthy enough to be called that.

Aldebaran could have probably become the supreme chief of the seven kings; however, he chose not to and stayed as a neutral guardian of the forest than anything else.

For Gil-garna to suddenly raise this topic, it was not like Yverza and Shasurna didn't understand his intention. That aside, what he said wasn't wrong. Now that they were about to attack the dungeon, it was only natural that they chose a leader which everyone followed.

Although there was no need to be worried, the place they were going to attack was still a dungeon, a special dimensional realm that only a demon noble could create. It was bound to be sprawling with dangers and traps.

Instead of having too many leaders that would delay their response time and cause needless casualties, having one leader whom everyone followed during the attack would raise their chances further and allow them to react in time.

"Since I was the one to suggest this alliance, I recommend myself for this position. What do you all think?" Just as they expected, Gil-Garna had his eyes on the position of the supreme chief.

"Fine with me"…

"What?" Shasurna was surprised to see Yverza agreeing with the demands so nonchalantly. This was the matter of deciding the supreme chief how could one adopt such a nonchalant attitude attitude like the Ivory Terraquake Rhino.

The leader of the snakemen was inwardly frustrated.

"What about you Emerald Viperlord?" Gil-garna turned toward him. Having no choice, Shasurna could only unwillingly nod his head too.

"This is just for the attack alright? Once we are done with the subjugation of the dungeon, we shall return to our normal relationship" Shasurna commented.

"That is to be expected" Gil-garna readily accepted an unknown smile on his face.

"Another thing even if you become the supreme chief during the time, you cannot interfere with the chain of commands between me and my clan more than needed"

It was only after he saw Gil-Garna agreeing with all of his conditions that Shasurna gave his consent too. The next second the two respective seven kings then addressed their clan and informed them about the news.

With that, the supreme chief although only for the attack on the dungeon, finally emerged among the seven kings.

"Everyone, let's begin the attack. Today we shall subjugate the dungeon and show the demon who are the masters of this place"

Gil-Garna roared. His baleful aura affected all the clans causing their blood to boil in excitement too. They orderly marched and started entering the dungeon through the shortcut.

"Yverza you will be leading our frontlines. Given the Terraquke Rhinos endogenous armour, there cannot be any perfect wall to negate the damage. Any trap or attack the demon has prepared for us, would be useless once they meet the denseness of your clan" The Ivory Terraquake rhino nodded.

"Shasurna, you and your clan will be guarding our backs. I'm sure the structure of the dungeon would be extremely complex and labyrinthine. If the demon isn't an idiot, he would use the opportunity and attack from our backs. With the snakemen's agile bodies and special skills you will easily be able to detect the enemy's movement and respond in time" Gil-Garna handed out orders.

"What about you and your clan, the Black Ogres?"

Shasurna asked. He had no qualms about taking on the backline, as that would be more beneficial for them.

Gil-Garna gave a smile, his ruffled crimson hair dancing with the wind "We shall be the spear that attacks the demon's forces"… Novel Fire - novelfire.net

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Main Floor, inside one of the halls of the White Palace. Simon was seated on his couch looking at the many window screen that popped up in front of him.

"So they are finally here huh? It's just as well, I don't have much time in regard to the promise I made with Aldebaran, I need to hurry up" A wicked smile could be seen creeping on his face.